Psoriasis affects around 1.8 million people in the UK — approximately 2–3% of the population. Over the past decade, biologics have transformed moderate-to-severe psoriasis treatment, with many patients achieving near-complete skin clearance. Now the next generation of trials is pushing for even better outcomes, oral alternatives to injections, and treatments that address the whole disease — including psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular comorbidities.
The UK is a major centre for dermatology clinical trials, with world-leading research units in London, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, and Cardiff. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) maintains a biologic register (BADBIR) that tracks outcomes and feeds into trial design.
Currently, there are over 130 actively recruiting psoriasis trials in the UK. The field has shifted from simply clearing skin to achieving complete remission, treating earlier in the disease course, and addressing the systemic inflammation that links psoriasis to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and depression.
Types of Psoriasis Trials
Next-Generation Biologics
Longer-acting IL-23 inhibitors, novel IL-17 targets, bispecific antibodies, and treatments aiming for durable drug-free remission.
Oral Systemic Therapies
JAK inhibitors, TYK2 inhibitors, and other oral molecules offering injection-free alternatives with rapid onset of action.
Topical Innovations
Roflumilast foam, tapinarof, and novel topical JAK inhibitors for patients who prefer or need localized treatment.
Comorbidity Trials
Addressing psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, and psychological impact as part of holistic disease management.
IL-23 Inhibitors: The Current Standard
IL-23 inhibitors have become the preferred first-line biologic for moderate-to-severe psoriasis in the UK, recommended by NICE. Current trials are refining and extending their use:
Extended-interval dosing — trials testing whether guselkumab and risankizumab can be given every 16 or even 24 weeks after initial clearance, reducing treatment burden
Treatment tapering and withdrawal — studies examining whether patients can maintain clearance after stopping IL-23 inhibitors, and how to identify those most likely to succeed
Earlier treatment line — moving IL-23 inhibitors into first-line systemic therapy, before conventional immunosuppressants like methotrexate
Head-to-head comparisons — direct comparison of guselkumab, risankizumab, and tildrakizumab for long-term durability
IL-17 Inhibitors and Rapid Clearance
IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab) offer the fastest onset of action among psoriasis biologics, with some patients seeing significant improvement within 2–4 weeks. UK trials include:
Rapid-induction regimens — optimised loading doses for fastest possible clearance
IL-17 in special populations — palmoplantar psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and scalp psoriasis that is resistant to other treatments
Combination approaches — pairing IL-17 inhibitors with topical therapies or oral agents for difficult-to-treat areas
Switching studies — what happens when patients switch from IL-23 to IL-17 inhibitors or vice versa
Oral Therapies: JAK and TYK2 Inhibitors
The biggest unmet need in psoriasis is an effective oral treatment that avoids injections. Several promising oral agents are in UK trials:
Deucravacitinib (TYK2 inhibitor) — the first approved TYK2 inhibitor for psoriasis, now being tested in broader populations and combination regimens
JAK inhibitors — upadacitinib, abrocitinib, and newer selective JAK1 inhibitors offering rapid clearance with oral dosing
Novel oral mechanisms — oral IL-17 mimetics, peptide therapeutics, and small molecules targeting novel inflammatory pathways
Head-to-head vs biologics — trials comparing oral agents directly against injectable biologics for non-inferiority
Oral therapies are particularly attractive for patients with needle phobia, those who travel frequently, or those who prefer not to store injectable medications.
Topical and Device-Based Trials
For mild-to-moderate psoriasis, topical treatments remain first-line. Innovation continues:
Roflumilast foam (Zoryve) — a once-daily phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor foam for scalp and body psoriasis
Tapinarof — an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist cream that may induce drug-free remission
Topical JAK inhibitors — ruxolitinib cream and newer agents for localised plaque psoriasis
Excimer laser and phototherapy optimisation — refining UVB protocols and targeted phototherapy for resistant plaques
Comorbidity and Whole-Disease Trials
Psoriasis is increasingly recognised as a systemic inflammatory disease. UK trials are addressing the whole patient:
Psoriatic arthritis prevention — treating skin psoriasis aggressively to prevent joint disease development
Cardiovascular risk reduction — studies assessing whether biologic treatment reduces the elevated heart attack and stroke risk associated with psoriasis
Gut-skin axis — dietary interventions, probiotics, and microbiome-modifying therapies
Psychological wellbeing — integrated dermatology-psychology programmes addressing the significant mental health impact of psoriasis
Who Can Participate?
Common eligibility criteria for UK psoriasis trials include:
Confirmed diagnosis of plaque psoriasis (or specific subtype for targeted trials)
Body surface area (BSA) involvement — typically ≥10% for moderate-to-severe trials, or specific areas for topical trials
PASI score — Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, often ≥12 for biologic trials
DLQI score — Dermatology Life Quality Index, often ≥10 demonstrating significant quality of life impact
Previous treatment history — some trials require failure of conventional systemic therapy; others are first-line
Age 18+ for most adult trials; paediatric trials available for ages 6–17
💡 Tip: Document Your PASI and DLQI
Trial teams use PASI (skin severity) and DLQI (quality of life impact) to determine eligibility. Ask your dermatologist for your most recent scores. If they have not been calculated, the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire takes less than 2 minutes to complete online.
UK Psoriasis Trial Locations
Major UK centres running psoriasis trials include:
London — St John's Institute of Dermatology (Guy's and St Thomas'), Royal London Hospital, St Mary's Hospital
Manchester — Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle — Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals
Cardiff — University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Vale UHB
Birmingham — University Hospitals Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Glasgow — Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Bristol — Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol
How to Find Your Match
Use our Smart Matcher to find psoriasis trials tailored to your severity, treatment history, and preferences. Whether you are looking for biologics, oral treatments, or topical innovations, we can match you to actively recruiting studies.